No Math Cutting

I purchased two sets (yeah I know I shouldn't have) of the Guidelines Ruler. I haven't had the chance to use it yet but watched a good video. Math and I do not see equal sign to equal sign so when I saw the ad for the Guildlines ruler I jumped at the chance. It is expensive but to someone like me who really is NOT a math wiz I ordered it.

Today, while having my 2nd cup of coffee I watched the no math video that showed how to cut perfect squares, triangles etc.

I might have posted something like this before but I think it is well worth mentioning again. If anyone have used this particular ruler can you post some tips you might have tried? I would appreciate it since the ruler is still in the plastic wrapping!!

guidelines4quilting.com :icon_wave:

Thanks for the info. Great site.

Hi Patricia,

I have and love the guidelines4quilting rulers. They are so precise! Plus the company is really just a husband and wife team, so you're supporting a small business by buying these rulers--always a good thing.

The MOST IMPORTANT thing to realize when you're using the add-on "flanges" is to think about the finished size of your piece, not the cut size. Sadly, this means you usually need to do some math, because patterns are normally written in cut sizes.

Here's an example. Let's take the Missouri Star Quilt Company logo, and make it with squares, half square triangles, and quarter square triangles (not flying geese nor square in a square). Let's also say you wanted the FINISHED size of your Missouri Star block to be 12 inches. On the top row you'd have a white 3" square on each end, and two complicated little combo half square / quarter square triangle blocks in the middle made of white, yellow and red fabrics, with a finished size of 3"each.

(At this point, if Karen could post one of her amazing diagrams, it would be great! )

So you pull out your Guidelines rulers. Your pattern will tell you to cut two 3-1/2" white squares. You have to say to yourself, "No, Patricia! We need to cut FINISHED sizes, so I'm going to do a 3" square."

Then you whip out your Guideline ruler, you snap on the "Cut a Square" flange, you line up your 3" line on your white fabric edge and rotary cut on the flange. You now have a white strip from which you cut two squares still using the 3" line on the ruler. Be aware that your squares are bigger than 3".

In the middle of the top row, you have have those two combo squares. The white side is a half square triangle and the finished size of the full square is 3". So now you remove the "Cut a Square" flange and attach the "Cut a Half Square Triangle" flange. Again you line up the 3" line of your ruler on your white fabric and cut a strip. Turn your fabric, use the 3" line on the ruler, and cut a square. This square will be even bigger than your last one because of the different flange! Now cut the square on the diagonal and you have a perfect and precise half square triangle.

Now attach the "Cut a Quarter Square Triangle" flange on your ruler, and do the same cuts for the red and yellow fabrics. Cut a strip on the 3" line, turn the strip to cut a square on the 3" line, then cut on both diagonals. You now have perfect and precise Quarter Square triangles in red and yellow. BTW your red and yellow squares will be EVEN BIGGER than the white squares, again because of the different flange.

And here's the thing. When a pattern tells us to cut our fabric at, say, 5-7/8", that's close, but not exactly right. These Guidelines flanges are super precise, so your half and quarter square triangle actually sew up right!

The most important thing to remember is to think in FINISHED size.

Honestly.... Anything that eliminates math isbpn't OK , in my hook!

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Originally Posted by Granny Fran

Thanks for the info. Great site.

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I keep watching the video's for info on how to do what. Looks complicated but if I watch enough I might understand it all. Thanks for leaving a comment.

So, it is all ready adding the seam allowance? Thanks for the info.

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Originally Posted by easyquilts

Honestly.... Anything that eliminates math isbpn't OK , in my hook!

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Guess all you have to do is read the ruler and directions. I am so new to all this that right now I am just making a scrappy quilt until I get use to cutting and measuring the backing and batting. Thanks for leaving a comment.

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Originally Posted by PatriciaF

So, it is all ready adding the seam allowance? Thanks for the info.

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Exactly. It merely adds the seam allowance for a square. The real strength is that it makes the precisely right sized squares for your half square triangles and quarter square triangles, including the seam allowance.

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Originally Posted by GuitarGramma

Exactly. It merely adds the seam allowance for a square. The real strength is that it makes the precisely right sized squares for your half square triangles and quarter square triangles, including the seam allowance.

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Great! I have to use the ruler with my next quilt. I am adding my backing to my first quilt and had problems since I have very limited space to cut and measure. So, I was thinking of using the Batting Buddy which I think would be ideal for my small space. Thanks for letting me know!! :icon_wave:

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Originally Posted by easyquilts

Honestly.... Anything that eliminates math isbpn't OK , in my hook!

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Sandy, your typo's always make me smile.

Me too... B..
NOW,,,anyone who can "write" the detailed directions for this ruler , to me , is a genius!!! What a trip!! I'm going to check this out and hope there is a video.... This must be whey most of my quilts are "stitch and cut to fit" in a lot of ways.... LOL... By now most people know I'm not a perfectionist... haven't the patience....:) GB

Let us know how it goes. I have wanted those G4Q rulers for a long time but I already have so many rulers and those are SO darned expensive!!